There are few venues where a fiction reader might witness Steve Almond read student evaluations of his teaching (youth can be so cruel), Samantha Hunt perform a poem – backwards, or Ben Greenman‘s utter faith in humanity as he recites his credit card and pin numbers aloud to a packed bar. In fact, the only place I can think of off the top of my head is the Happy Ending Music & Reading Series.
Started in 2003 by Amanda Stern, the series brings together emerging and established writers to read and take an onstage risk of the kind mentioned above, all in a cozy bar setting. And if that isn’t enough to entice you, Stern had the stroke of genius to toss a musical guest in the mix. The next event will be at Joe’s Pub on Wednesday, 7/7 at 7 pm. Featured authors are Shane Jones, Amelia Gray, and Audrey Niffenegger, along with music by The Walking Hellos, Myla Goldberg‘s band. The Happy Ending Music & Reading Series taps into that element of surprise that makes the best fiction and music stick with us. Besides, it may be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to have your portrait speed-drawn by Niffenegger. You never know.
